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Lot Essay
Delacroix's 1832 journey to Morocco as a member of Comte Charles de Mornay's diplomatic retinue profoundly influenced the young artist. His prolific output of drawings and watercolours executed in situ during his six-month sojourn were sources for many compositions throughout his career.
Comparable to the male figures in Jewish Wedding in Morocco, the present work is most likely to have been a drawing study for one of his larger compositions, yet has been heavily repainted since the artist’s death. As the seal on the stretcher’s cross-bar indicates, the drawing remained in Delacroix’s studio until the time of his posthumous sale. It might therefore be suggested that it was reworked by one of the studio assistants during this time.
Comparable to the male figures in Jewish Wedding in Morocco, the present work is most likely to have been a drawing study for one of his larger compositions, yet has been heavily repainted since the artist’s death. As the seal on the stretcher’s cross-bar indicates, the drawing remained in Delacroix’s studio until the time of his posthumous sale. It might therefore be suggested that it was reworked by one of the studio assistants during this time.